GQ Selects: September

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Mougin & Piquard x J.Crew Grande Seconde Watch

What’s so great about this Mougin & Piquard watch is that it perfectly toes the line between dressy and rugged, minimal and military. Those qualities make it a smart option for the fall season, as it holds it’s own when paired with a pinstripe suit, tweed sports coat, or even a chunky fisherman’s sweater. And at this price, the value for all that versatility can’t be beat.

Power moves at the office deserve an appropriately powerful suit and this season the one that’s going to get you noticed, and remembered, comes in a statement-making plaid. The exploded linear pattern on this Valentino makes a big impact while the medium gray body ensures the suit will work with a myriad of underpinnings, from stripes to solids and even other plaids.

Hedi Slimane gives one of menswear’s classic footwear silhouettes some subtle rocker edge and the result couldn’t be more on point for Fall 2013. These loafers capture the teddy-boy vibe we saw on the runways but wouldn’t look out of place come casual Friday at the office. Wear them sockless until the leaves start to turn then try them with a melange camp sock for an unexpected twist or a crisp white pair to drive the teddy-boy look home.

For a silhouette that’s been around as long as the duffle coat, introduced to the world during World War I, it’s remarkable that the outerwear style still feels just as fresh today. This one, from Burberry London, takes the iconic piece into trimmer territory thanks to a more tailored cut than the original turns the color up a notch from its traditional camel hue. The result is a coat that’s as timely as it is timeless this season.

Jean Shop’s belts rival their denim when it comes to quality, so when you invest in one you can rest assured it’s going to last for the long haul. The rich brown, hand-dyed hide brings a rugged edge to your best indigo denim and becomes a handsome tonal accent to your khaki-hued chinos and cords. This is a belt that’s going to be the workhorse in your arsenal of accessories.

Acne is a company built on great jeans and their Max New Raw fit proves why they’ve grown to be such a powerhouse in the denim field. The slim fit and straight leg means these are cut lean without venturing into skinny territory, so they look great sitting over any shoe, be it brogues or lug-soled boots. Meanwhile the clean indigo wash makes them appropriate with any outfit, in any setting, from a shirt and tie on casual office days to a t-shirt and hoodie for that early morning coffee run.

We’re never not impressed by Michael Bastian’s ability to put a new spin on the classics, and this hooded fisherman’s sweater proves why he’s so great at it. It captures the rugged spirit of the original but adds a detail, the hood in this case, that separates it from any other one you’re going to see this season. Layer it under a CPO-style jacket like we shot on Russell Wilson, or wear it alone over your favorite jeans; just know however you do you’re bound to get a bunch of compliments.

Cutler and Gross’ black acetate frames are a throwback style that’s a bit retro but hardly old-fashioned, aside from the hours of it takes to craft each pair by hand. Plus, the frame shape is friendly to every face thanks to the keyhole bridge cutout that sits just right on any nose. Want to look like the smartest guy in the room? Buy these glasses.

Every so often we’ll see a look walk down the runway that takes a garment we thought we’d seen every iteration of, in this case a varsity jacket, and makes it fresh again. That’s just what Hedi Slimane did with his wool version, trimmed in contrast white leather at the shoulders, by turning an iconic piece of sporty American outerwear into a lu must-have. It’s a homerun when paired with a simple white t-shirt and slim black jeans like we shot on Alex Turner this month.

Here at GQ, we firmly believe that less is more when it comes to wallets. No guy should walk around with an overstuffed billfold jammed into his back pocket and that is why we’re fans of these sleek card holders that let you carry just the essentials and nothing more. Available from luxury houses like Lanvin and Valextra, the leather goods are available in an array bold colors and textures, which means not only will your back pocket be lighter once you switch to one, but those must-have credit cards and I.D. will be that much harder to misplace.

For those last minute overnight trips as summer winds down, consider this J.Crew bag your best bet. The wad canvas body is roomy enough to stow everything you’d need for a getaway and waterproof to keep it all dry inside. Leather handles and contrast canvas trim add support and structure while keeping the bag lightweight, so how heavy it is to haul around just depends on how much you want to pack.

One of the many reasons we love Christopher Bailey at the helm of Burberry is that while the designer makes serious clothes, he is not afraid to inject some playfulness into his designs. A case in point is this dress shirt that’s cut as sharp as any to walk down a Prorsum runway, but comes in a clever, graphic heart print that turns the iconic symbol into a cool, downtown design for fall.

When it comes to men’s jewelry, one piece can make a big statement and with that in mind, we’re big fans of Hedi Slimane’s sterling silver bracelet for Saint Laurent. A single strand of chain is given a new spin thanks to Silmane’s built-in structure below, so an accessory that would commonly hang holds strong instead. It’s a clever detail and one that’s sure to make any wrist standout in a crowd.